A recent survey led by UMass Amherst researcher Zulmai Moheb confirms the existence of a small population of Bactrian deer in northern Afghanistan, a sub-species believed to have been extinct since the 1970s. The animals urgently need conservation due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Two researchers have discovered a single-step chemical process that creates both alcohols and esters without generating any waste or using harmful reagents. The process is more straightforward and simpler than existing methods, offering an economical and sustainable alternative for industrial applications.
A new meta-analysis in Biological Psychiatry reports associations between sleep disturbances and long sleep duration with increased levels of inflammatory markers. Treatments targeting sleep behavior may be a strategy for reversing inflammation and reducing risk of inflammatory illnesses.
A study analyzing hip fracture patients found a nearly 15% increase in anti-osteoporosis medication prescriptions and a 14% decline in subsequent fractures after the introduction of generic alendronic acid. Notably, this was accompanied by a 22% reduction in hip fractures.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created light-powered molecular motors that repetitively bend and unbend, bringing us closer to molecular robots. The development enables complex tasks and autonomous chemical reactions, which may lead to applications in medicine and other fields.
A recent study found that parental diet quality has a significant impact on children's diet quality, with too few vegetables and empty calories being major contributors. Researchers analyzed data from over 600 parent-child duos and found that parents had better diet scores than kids, but only by a small margin.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that high tobacco surcharges under the Affordable Care Act reduced smokers' insurance enrollment rates, contrary to the ACA's goal of universal coverage. The study also showed no increase in smoking cessation among smokers facing these surcharges.
A recent study found that adults released from provincial correctional facilities have a 9% overdose death rate in the first two days and 20% within the first week. The majority of these deaths involve opioids and can be prevented with education and access to naloxone, according to researchers.
Global Aerospace Corporation and Northrop Grumman will develop a new exploration vehicle for Saturn's moon Titan, addressing technical challenges with innovative engineering approaches. The Titan Winged Aerobot concept incorporates ultra-low power requirements and extended vertical range, enabling long-lived flight at low altitudes.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
PhD student Wang Yueyun and Dr Li Xinzheng discover two new species and a new genus of bamboo worms in the open access journal ZooKeys. The new genus is characterized by a unique collar-like glandular band on its sixth chaetiger, setting it apart from other Maldaninae subfamily members.
A recent study by LSU Economics and Policy Research Group Director Stephen Barnes explores the determination of state Medicaid provision in the US, finding that federal subsidization leads to a decline in Medicaid coverage. The study also reveals a positive relationship between progressivity of tax structure and Medicaid coverage.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has secured additional funding of EUR 36.4 million over four years, a 32% increase from the first period. This will enable iDiv scientists to investigate biodiversity using various methods and increase their activities.
A Harvard study reveals that wealthier Americans are getting significantly more healthcare than middle-class and poor individuals, reversing a long-term trend of increased equality. The wealthiest fifth of Americans now consume 43% more healthcare than the poorest fifth, while middle-income people receive 23% less care.
A study found that over 10% of men with metastatic prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, more than four times the general population rate. These mutations could benefit from targeted treatment already approved for ovarian cancer patients.
A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves can accelerate muscle healing by increasing chemical signaling factors and waking up satellite progenitor cells. This technique, called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has promising potential as a non-invasive therapy complementing existing recovery regimes.
Research reveals that king penguins can distinguish between dangerous and benign sounds while sleeping on the beach. They react with alarm to predator calls, but not to unfamiliar sounds like a dog's growl.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and ostrich eggshell stable isotope measurements from two Middle Stone Age sites, finding no correlation between climate shifts and technological or cultural innovations. The study challenges the idea that climate change drove early human experimentation.
A Northwestern University study found that 40% of top-selling sunscreens on Amazon.com fail to meet water or sweat resistance standards. Consumers spend up to 3,000% more for similar products, highlighting a need for affordable and effective options.
A recent study found that Japanese quail grown in green and red light exhibit higher body weights and reproductive development compared to white and blue light. This surprising discovery has potential applications across various fields, including poultry production, cancer research, and endocrine studies.
A University of Georgia study found that medical marijuana leads to lower prescription drug use, particularly for conditions like glaucoma and pain. The study estimated savings of $468 million if all states had implemented medical marijuana laws.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new potential avenue for controlling severe bacterial infections and sepsis. The study reveals that a protein fragment called gasdermin-D-NT can kill both bacteria and infected cells, offering a defense against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Research found that 40% of top-rated sunscreens on Amazon don't adhere to AAD standards due to lack of water resistance. Consumers prioritize cosmetic aspects over photoprotection, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to educate patients about sunscreen options.
Agroforestry allows farmers to balance biomass trees with crops, capturing more carbon, filtering nutrients, and stabilizing soil. The practice offers greater economic security and long-term benefits for farmers.
The NCI's largest-ever study of breast cancer genetics in black women aims to identify genetic factors contributing to racial disparities in breast cancer. The study will investigate inherited genetic variations and gene expression in tumor samples.
A population-based register study in Sweden found that lower socioeconomic status increases the risk of advanced-stage penile cancer. Management of the disease does not differ between social groups, according to the findings published in BJU International.
A study found that 22.5% of Malaysian children with epilepsy have vitamin D deficiency, while 19.7% have insufficiency. Children taking multiple medications, having Indian ethnicity or being female are more susceptible to this issue.
Researchers from Binghamton University and Stevens Institute of Technology found that smartwatches can crack private PINs with 80-percent accuracy on the first try. The study used data from embedded sensors in wearable devices to break codes without contextual information, highlighting security vulnerabilities in these devices.
A new method to increase the robustness and energy storage capability of lithium-rich cathode materials has been discovered. Researchers found that introducing oxygen vacancies at the surface of the material using a carbon dioxide-based gas mixture improved its performance, particularly in high-energy applications like electric vehicles.
A significant proportion of men with advanced prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, making them eligible for precision treatments such as PARP inhibitors. Genetic testing could help identify these patients and offer targeted therapies to improve their treatment outcomes.
A new study has found that smaller-scale processes in the Earth's mantle have a more significant impact on plate tectonics than previously thought. The research used high-resolution imaging to map the flow of the mantle beneath the ocean's tectonic plates, revealing that convection channels play a crucial role in driving plate movement.
The Scripps Research Institute has received a $20 million award to support a national precision medicine initiative, enrolling 350,000 participant-volunteers. The program aims to engage one million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
A new technique using 'smokewater' has been found to disrupt dormancy in blackgrass seeds, making them vulnerable to herbicides. The method could help reduce crop losses due to weed growth, which is expected to increase with climate change.
A new study published in Nature Communications suggests that a combination of volcanic eruptions and an asteroid impact led to the mass extinction of dinosaurs. The research, conducted by University of Florida geochemist Andrea Dutton, used a novel technique called clumped isotope paleothermometry to analyze ancient ocean temperatures.
A genetic test that spots cancer-related DNA in blood can accurately predict colon cancer recurrence, according to a study of Australian patients. The 'liquid biopsy' detected DNA fragments in the blood of 20 patients with early-stage colon cancer, 11 of whom developed recurrences.
Research suggests that individuals with intermittent explosive disorder (IED) exhibit reduced connectivity in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), a region connecting the frontal and parietal lobes. This disruption may impair social cognition, contributing to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of others' intentions.
New research from AGU explores the effects of The Blob and El Niño on West Coast productivity, while a Jovian moon dust study may aid future space missions. Meanwhile, a Sahara Desert study reveals electric forces lifting 10 times more dust into the air than winds alone.
A new statistical method developed by researchers at the University of Bath aims to reduce selection bias in elite tennis talent identification. The approach considers biological maturity rather than chronological age, helping to uncover talented players who may be overlooked due to physical advantages gained through early maturation.
Researchers have developed an AI-powered MRI technique that can detect early forms of dementia, including mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The technique uses machine learning to analyze perfusion maps created by arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging, with high accuracy in distinguishing between patients.
Researchers have quantified physical limitations on cloaking devices, allowing for calculation of optimal performance before designing a specific cloak. The new framework establishes boundaries on bandwidth capabilities of electromagnetic cloaks for objects of different sizes and composition.
A new study confirms that annual follow-up with low-dose computed-tomography (CT) scans is sufficient for some lung nodules, eliminating the need for biopsy or surgery. The findings suggest that these nodules can be safely monitored and do not require immediate treatment.
A new study found that when people focus on the inherent traits of something, they are more likely to assume that the patterns they see around them are good. However, when participants were exposed to information about external factors, they became more flexible in their thinking and less likely to think that the way things are is good.
Researchers have found a brief, simple test to effectively screen for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD), including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD dementia. The King-Devick test can accurately distinguish between cognitively healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairment over 90% of the time.
A large study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that consuming higher amounts of unsaturated fats was associated with lower mortality. Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats conferred substantial health benefits and should continue to be a key message in dietary recommendations.
Hugh E. Montgomery, Jefferson Lab director and president of Jefferson Science Associates, LLC, has been recognized for his outstanding leadership and distinguished research in high-energy physics. The Institute of Physics awards the Glazebrook Medal annually to individuals who display exceptional contributions to the physics community.
A new study by University of Calgary researchers finds that adolescents who attend religious services are less likely to view pornography. The study, which surveyed over 3,000 teenagers and their parents, suggests that religious attendance acts as a social control factor that discourages porn usage among young people.
A new project aims to gather and communicate information on the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf of Mexico biodiversity. Researchers will survey biodiversity at 15 locations twice a year for two years, comparing data with pre-oil-spill records.
Researchers propose that cephalopods' U-shaped or dumbbell-shaped pupils can judge color by accentuating chromatic aberration, allowing them to focus on specific wavelengths. This unique visual system may enable camouflage and mimicry despite being 'colorblind'.
A Virginia Tech researcher found that policymakers have failed to implement comprehensive measures to restrict the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children and teens. The lack of progress has left 42 million children under 5 years old and 155-200 million school-aged children overweight or obese worldwide.
A joint study between CARD and Chapman University analyzed over 800 children with ASD, finding that Board Certified Behavioral Analyst experience and hours of therapy are crucial for successful treatment. The research provides insights into optimizing treatment plans and improving outcomes.
The EPICE project highlights the underuse of effective medical practices, such as corticosteroid administration and surfactant therapy, in very premature infants. With improved care, mortality rates can be reduced by 18%, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based medicine for these high-risk babies.
The article introduces a new 'game plan' for oncologists to incorporate new therapies and approaches into clinical guidelines quickly. CancerLinQ, a web-based rapid-learning system, will provide point-of-care clinical decision support with the latest evidence-based recommendations.
Researchers suggest minor evolutionary changes could have altered the fates of Earth and Venus, potentially leading to life on Venus and none on Earth. The study expands the notion of habitable zones and questions the role of plate tectonics in supporting life.
Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine identified a novel astroglia-mediated pathogenic mechanism contributing to fragile X syndrome symptoms. The study found that disrupting an astrocyte-specific glutamate transporter contributed to FXS-like symptoms, which were reversed by restoring FMRP and glutamate signaling.
Researchers have developed a lung-targeted gene therapy strategy that may improve treatments for inherited diseases like emphysema. The new approach, which delivers a normal copy of the gene to lung cells, shows promise in reducing disease severity and increasing protein production.
A study by University of Minnesota researchers has identified distinct structural features among seven types of retroviruses, including HIV and HTLV-1. The findings could inform the development of new antiviral treatments and vaccines for various diseases caused by these viruses.
The study found a small but significant increase in fatalities and non-fatalities among adolescents aged 11-15 and 16-17 years. This trend is worrying, with the impact of long-standing abuse or neglect often present in behaviors that place young people at increased risk of harm.
A paralyzed chimpanzee, Reo, was rehabilitated through a dedicated programme using cognitive tasks on a touch screen. After 41 months of intensive physiotherapy, he learned to walk again, showing the potential of this method in improving animal welfare.
A comprehensive review found that euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are legal in several countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada. However, their use remains relatively rare, primarily among patients with cancer. Public support for these practices varies across regions, with strong backing in Western Europe but...
Researchers tracked daily physical activity in 90 pre- to early-teenage children with type 1 diabetes and found improvements in blood vessel structure and reduced risk factors for heart disease. The study highlights the importance of physical activity for children with type 1 diabetes.